Sanitary cover for common use dining table food containers

ABSTRACT

An invention to protect the surface of dining table food containers that are commonly used among patrons of eating establishments, dining halls and cafeterias from the collecting and retransmitting of non-sanitized hand-borne or air-borne germs and pathogens introduced through contact with commonly used dining table food containers. The invention involves the new use of specially formed paper as an external container for various dining table food containers. The specially formed paper is configured in a tubular shape to encase dining table food containers of various dimension and thereby protect the enclosed surface of a properly sanitized dining table food container from germ accumulation. The specially formed paper tube is further treated with commercially available chemical agents, applied to its outer surface, in order to inhibit the collection, accumulation and retransmission of non-sanitized hand-borne or air-borne germs introduced through repeated non-sanitized hand or atmospheric contact.

1.0 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is in the technical field of public sanitation. More particularly the present invention is in the technical field of sanitary packaging. More particularly the present invention is in the technical field of formed paper containers. This invention supports public health through the protecting of the surface of common use dining table food containers from germ transmission caused by repeated non-sanitized human hand contact with dining table food containers (i.e. condiment containers, salt/pepper dispensers) in public and private eating establishments, hotels, and cafeterias.

2.0 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a formed paper container of various diameters and volumetric cross section that envelops and is temporarily affixed to assorted dining table bottles, salt/pepper shakers and/or flexible liquid dispensing containers typically found in restaurant eating establishments, dining halls and cafeterias.

3.0 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

This invention is depicted in four drawings:

1. FIG. 1. PLAN VIEW OF OUTER CARD STOCK FORM SURFACE

2. FIG. 2. PLAN VIEW OF INNER SURFACE ADHESIVE STRIP PLACEMENT

3. FIG. 3. PERSPECTIVE VIEW OF FORMED PAPER CONTAINER

4. FIG. 4. PRACTICAL USE VIEW OF FORMED PAPER CONTAINER

FIG. 1 is a plan view of the outer surface of a paper form showing the location of specific peripheral protrusions and internal perforations which form locking tabs and slots and the locating area for an applied surfactant antiseptic film to control the transmission of hand borne germs and pathogens.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the inner surface of the formed paper surface showing the location of an adhesive surface enabling the attachment of the paper form unto itself in order to form a tubular shape.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the formed paper container shaped into a tubular configuration in order to serve in its intended use as a container covering.

FIG. 4 is a practical use view of the paper container form attached to a generic dining table condiment container in its intended use with the exterior surface now situated to resist, through the properties of the applied antiseptic surfactants, the transmission of hand borne germs and pathogens.

4.0 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the invention in more detail, the intended construction is of a paper sheet of approximately ninety weight, formed and fashioned into a tube which supports insertion of a cylindrical or cubic dining table food container into it for the purposes of establishing a removable surface that is used to introduce a sanitary grasping surface for the contents held by the dining table food container. The grasping surface is prepared with a commercially available antiseptic surfactant chemical film specifically designed to inhibit the establishing and re-transmission of germs and pathogens on the invention outer surface, thereby eliminating their re-transmission to subsequent users touching the grasping surface.

Referring now to the invention in more detail, in FIG. 1 there is shown a paper sheet of thickness of approximately ninety weight, sufficient to hold the shape formed with peripheral profile and perforated insertion slots which accommodate the corresponding peripherally extended protrusions. Such protrusions, when inserted into the perforated slots lock the peripheral edges of the formed shape together in a tubular configuration of varying diameter. The shape thusly formed being sufficient for insertion along its central axis of symmetry of food containers of different sizes, determined by the useful dimensions of the paper form. The outer surface shown is coated in an antiseptic film of varying chemical composition sufficient to inhibit the establishing and re-transmission of germs and pathogens that may lead to various forms of human infection.

In FIG. 2 is shown the relevant application locations for an interior surface adhesive material sufficient for holding the formed paper container temporarily to the dining table food container to which it may be attached. The adhesive material is covered with non-adhesive removable paper to prevent adhesion prior to its intended end-use.

In FIG. 3, the assembled paper tube configuration is shown with interlocking protrusions inserted into receiving slots which hold the tubular shape required for the invention.

In FIG. 4, the invention is show in its intended practical use as a sanitary external container covering. The adhesive strip is adhered to the receiving dining table food container of corresponding diameter and the invention is thusly situated for use.

While the foregoing written description of the invention enables one of ordinary skill to make and use what is considered presently to be the best mode thereof, those of ordinary skill will understand and appreciate the existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents of the specific embodiment, method, and examples herein. The invention should therefore not be limited by the above described embodiment, method, and examples, but by all embodiments and methods within the scope and spirit of the invention. 

1. An apparatus which utilizes specially formed paper, treated with commercially available antiseptic chemicals as a means to protect the outer grasping surfaces of eating establishment, dining hall and cafeteria dining table food containers from the collection accumulation and transmission of various human and air-borne germs and other pathogens.
 2. A paper-based apparatus specially formed, treated with commercially available antiseptic chemicals and employed in a manner which inhibits establishing, harboring and retransmitting of germs among consecutive and subsequent persons which may handle restaurant, dining hall and cafeteria common-use dining table food containers. 